The Dallas Mavericks are about $2 million away from having the money they need to offer Los Angeles Laker center Dwight Howard a maxed-out contract. But the Mavs won't get rid of any players to make that happen.

At least not now.

For now, the Mavs are protecting center Bernard James, forward Jae Crowder and guard Josh Akognon. Their contracts, for now, will count against the Mavs' salary cap next season, although the contract of James and Akognon is not guaranteed.